Improvement in fastenings for shoes



J. HOWENSTINE. Fastenings for Shoes, 8w.

Patented Aug. 19, I879.

INVENTOR WITNESSES:

ATTORNEYS.

n PETERS, PHOTO-LITHOGRAPHER, wAsnmGTm n D UNITED STATES PATENT Onnion JOHN HOWENSTINE, OF FORT WAYNE, INDIANA IMPROVEMENT IN FASTENI'NGS FOR SHOES, 80C.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 218,745, dated August 19, 1879; application filed July 8, 1879.

To all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, JOHN HOWENSTINE, of Fort- Wayne, in the county of Allen and State of Indiana, have invented a new and Improved Fastener for Shoes, &c., of which the following is a specification. I

My invention relates to an improved device for fastening shoes, gloves, satchels, and other similar articles; the object whereof is to provide a sample and efficient device for the purpose, easy to operate, and not liable to get out of order.

The invention consists of a case secured to the flap, in which is pivoted a latch or catch, held in position by a spring, and of a tongue fastened to the other side of the opening, which is adapted to enter the said case and to be engaged by the catch, and thus fasten the two parts together. The catch is caused to release the tongue by pressing the end projecting out of the case down with the finger.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 shows no yim proved fastener applied to fasten together the two parts of a shoe or other article. Fig. 2 is a section of the fastener on line w 00, Fig. l; and Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 represent in detail'the several parts of the fastener.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to the drawings, A is the case of the fastener, provided on its under side with prongs a, for passing through the flap to clinch the case to the same. B isthe catch, curved and having on its edges or sides pivots b b, which are entered in holes 0 c in the sides of the case, so that the straight end will be within the case, while a small portion will project from under the case in position to be pressed upon by the finger. (.l is the spring, which bears on the upper side of the catch and keeps it down. D is the tongue, provided with prongs e, which are passed through the opposite flap from the one the case is attached to.

The device is applied and used in the following manner: The fiat portion (1 of spring 0 is laid on flap E, with its shank f projecting over it. This shank is bent under the flap.

Two of the prongs a. of the case are thrust through the holes 9 in the spring, and then, together with the remaining prong, through the flap and through the holes in the washer F, and when the case is pushed down close, so as to clasp the flap and shank of the spring between the part d of the spring and washer, the ends of the prongs projecting beyond the washer are bent down, fastening all the parts securely to the flap.

The tongue, which has an upward bend, h, in it to bring it up to a level with the entrance to the case, is secured to its flap E by bending its prongs up against the under side of the flap. p

In fastening the shoe, the flaps are drawn together and the tongue entered into the case, pushed against the catch, which rises over the lip on the end of the tongue, and then falls back of the same under the pressure of the spring, and thus fastens it in place.

To unfasten, press the finger or nail on the part of the catch 6 projecting out from under the case. This raises its inner end and releases the tongue, which immediately slips back, and thus enables the flaps to be drawn apart.

This fastener is neat in appearence, simple in construction, and much more durable than buttons and other devices now employed for the same purpose.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. An improved fastener for shoes, gloves, or similar articles, consisting of the case A, pivoted catch B, actuating spring 0, and tongue D, all arranged as shown and described, and provided with attaching-prongs, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In an improved fastening device, the case A, provided with the catch B and its actuating-spring O, in combination with the tongue D, the case and tongue each provided with attachingrprongs, all substantially as shown and described.

JOHN HOWENSTINE.

Witnesses JOHN H. JACOBS, FREDERICK KLINE. 

